Saturday, October 30, 2010

Gee whiz. I got up..saw a lot of fog out there so I hurried up to get my little first thing duties done and over with and then,. I threw on a heavy weight shirt to keep warm (36 out there right now) and headed to the Clinch River here in town. The best laid plans! The rowers were there again with their zillions of buses and cars and they took up every available parking place all along any parking place in the area so I couldn't find one to sit and wait a bit for the fog to rise from the river. GRRrrrrrrrr! I hate it when they roll in- and that is all of the time. This area, my town is an extreme favorite for rowing competitions because of the rivers width (wide!) and course. So they're always here and we always have to detour 4, 5 miles out of our way when they are. We get to use our own park and areas and marina the majority of time yes, but it's annoying when you have a plan and too bad. So, I'm back venting. I did take this photo about a mile away when I returned later. There was still some fog but not white as when I left the first time. You might biggafy.

Someone said something about my posting my best pics here on the blog. I don't. I reserve those for Flickr as I want to save them for there. Sometimes I may, but only after I posted them to Flickr. :-)

Anyhoo..I already ran out of topic matter or I wouldn't have answered that one question. :-) Still being trounced in Scrabble BUT I am successfully using the words you all gave me. I am not losing by as much.

Friday, October 29, 2010

I am so honored. I got two of my weeks photos in Flickr's Explore. That's eight so far that I am aware of. I was unaware of four of them till others showed me. That was nice. The first of the week was the yellow Mexican Hat wildflower (you saw it Beth and many many thanks for coming to visit so often over there. MUCH appreciated. ♥) and today's was the blue wildflower cluster..not sure who those little guys are. It makes the heat, sun glare, sweat and all the other stuff worth while when someone besides myself, likes it.

Small Mrs. S here has lately discovered that I added a thick comforter to the spare bed in the, not unnaturally, spare bedroom. So, she has been bunking down in there for nigh onto a week. She allows as how the comfort level zoomed what with the cushiness of the new thick comforter and the quilted bedspread. It's cool in the house..about 68 so the warmth of sinking in is her cuppa tea.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

We got a month's worthof rain in 24 hours but considering that in October, we only get, tops, 3 inches of rain...not too bad after all. We had every bit of three inches of rain and likely more. The news is on and I should be in there to watch.

I was supposed to go to the mountains today with Paul but it was so gray, still raining etc that we decided not to go this time. By the time we do go..the leaves will be down. But we can go anyway and just have fun.

I am still being beat like a drum in Scrabble by my youngest! However, I wrote down those Q words Connie gave me and used one!!! The "qi" what ever that means. There are only perhaps 2 plays left before ...what else...he wins again. However he'll only whup me by about 10 points. I actually thought till a few moves ago that I would win! Silly me.

Got to serve Her Majesty her supper. She is still relaxing in the recliner!! But when she chooses to arise, supper will be waiting. Here is an autumn blooming azalea I have.

Guys..I've been around and soon as I see anyone else updated I'll try to slide over there. ♥

What I should have added yesterday to that blog was, I will wager that the neighbors have a "will she or won't she" pool going. Why is that, you ask? Well, due to my propensity of trying to carry each and every single bag into the house so as not to have to go back out to the vehicle once I open the house door and so in..I cannot hold onto my house/car keys worth a dime!

Try as I may to carry as many as 6 grocery bags in one hand, balance my pocketbook's strap on my shoulder so the whole thing won't go racing down the length of my arm to fall gracelessly to my wrist and dangle there heavily and annoyingly....the sad truth is..I cannot. Hence..I constantly and continuously drop my keys from seeming lifeless fingers as I try to open the screen door so as to insert said keys into the door lock. No can do. They flutter with un-caring abandon to the concrete porch..a heap of keys which I know snicker at me.

I bend over for the thousandth time to pick them up and fumble with the key and lock while neighbors all around I feel sure, are calling one another saying " No one won! She dropped 'em again!".

I came back this afternoon however with 6 bags of groceries and was spared the fiasco this time as there were two packages on my front porch. So I went to have a look at those and then came back, UNLOCKED the DOOR!!! and then, brought in the groceries. What do you know??? I did not drop the keys! Did I learn? No. I'll do it again..but someone in the neighborhood no doubt won a dollar. (I am kidding by the way, about a neighborhood bet. I hope)

What was in the boxes? I ordered some new slip covers (have to have them..the cat, you know) and found after trying the chair cover first, since it is the easiest to re-pack if needed, that the color is garish. A 'Lady of the Evening' fuschia/burgandy color with supposed to be damask pattern. One would not have known that from the catalogue. (Pe-nn-e-ys.) so they have to go back. Besides, I did try the fit on the chair and it didn't fit. I will have to pay for these to go back as they were shopped from the manufacturer. No dropping them off at the Store any more. Rats.

There was a face-off at the full length glass storm door a while ago. Miss Catt started growling loudly, hissing more loudly and screeched a few times. I looked around the corner and she was telling a yellow tom what she thought of him! She won!!! I am glad she's on my side!!! Whatta girl!

Ever have one of those days when you actually know you look good? I did ('scuse me for saying so) and my validation was a decent amount of male admiration in the several stores. Always nice. Good hair day for one thing and that always makes a person feel like at least a hundred dollars. Maybe even a million dollars!

Well, it has been a good couple of days in that my oldest has been here. He will head back this morning though I hate to see him leave. BUT we had meatloaf last night (I do the tomato style..not the oatmeal thing) garlic mashed potatoes and some flat Italian style green beans. Biscuits, eggs and bacon this morning. Wonder why he keeps coming back???

My little pet is not herself these past two days and that is a concern. I will about have to knock her upside the head to get her into the carrier. Anyone who has read this blog knows it is like fighting the demons of you-know-where to get her into that carrier to go to the Vet. Nothing works. I don't want to Vet who comes to the house. She muzzled the cat for no reason except her own concerns just in case the last time she was here..and that has made the cat afraid of anyone but me and the 3 boys. Where before the Vet could come in and pick up the cat..now she is terrified.

I slept very little last night. Late getting to bed since I was running my mouth and then, the cat kept calling. her routine was different as the spare bedroom door was closed and some of her toys are in there. Since my son was asleep in there with the door closed..she couldn't get in to play with her puzzle box.

So, I have the lack of sleep headache thing going. After he is gone and I get a couple things done, I may have a small nap. Maybe.

Beautiful weather with blue skies only October brings and not a drop of rain. Our drought is scary. there is water rationing, mandatory, everywhere. The rivers have all dropped so far down it is startling.

It is certainly overcast out there but we are getting nothing for it. No rain. The clouds are streaming both from the WNW and the SW. But not productive.

*I* am trying to be productive though. I have the house cleaned up... an important call made without the info I hoped for. It will be coming in the mail. Have other things done that were on the list and I am waiting for the opportunity to finally get outside! Too much to do in here so far. I need to call the Vet as well as a friend has agreed to come over on the appointed day and help me get this little one into her carrier. It ain't easy.

I tuned in ten minutes late but I did get to see the majority of DWTS. Now, GO FIGURE! I would not have expected those who were kicked off, to be kicked off. No..I said that wrong. Yes I did. BUT I expected Wa-y-ne Ne-w-ton to go. (his fan club has been thru my space..why I did that) not that other guy. I haven't learned all the people's names yet. Sorry. The only woman contestant/dancer worth her salt is that blonde called Serena. Now that girl can dance!!!! She's the hip-hop Cheetah Girl. The rest can eat her dust. The guys...the race car driver (I wish I knew names..just haven't been able to watch as much due to not being here) and one other guy...Mark Cuban..excellent. One of the blogging family said it was amazing what a fan base can do in regards to W. New-t-on. I agree. He should not have been there to start with. It's too much for him. Hopefully I will see the next show. Anyone see Cavemen? Was it good? I had someone here and couldn't watch.

Gonna make a little lunch here in a minute. Been around to see most of you. Come on by...we'll sit and talk.

They, those people I have just described as flowers, are a gift to others, fragrant with good, strong and beautiful with pliant resilience.

The kind and loving expression of a friend who sits quietly and listens...who laughs with you when you laugh and who shares your pain and soars upward with you in your joy. The more precious than gems gift of real friendship. How blessed are we.

I like to be someones flower every time I can. When I deal with the public (which I have done in huge numbers) I like to greet them and leave them with a genuine smile, courtesy, and something to make them smile as well. As I have been in an occupation not like many others, so I had and still have many chances to do this. I expand this to the service people wherever I go. In this, I follow the Golden Rule most every time. I will be the one smiling at you and I will be the one slightly invading your space if I sense it is alright. I will be the one who touches your arm or holds you hand. And I will be with you to the end if needed.

It is a way, albeit a small way, of being of service to others. I always hope that the bouquet I offer is taken each time I hold it out. But even if it isn't, that does not affect me as I will hold a fresh one out to the next person as well.

Guess what I want to do this Fall and Spring? Visit some more National Parks. I have a Passport ( issued to keep track of the National Parks one visits) and can't wait to get the next stamp in it.GO VOLS! GO VOLS!!

Here I was, a young housewife and mother of three sons. A world unto itself. A satisfying world. An important job in its own.

Then, I went to work in the outside world. What is more, I went straight into a job that is generally all men. Very few ladies wanted (nor do they still, it takes a tough hide) that sort of job.

I found within hours of the first day and to my complete shock that all these fellows I became a partner to were not gentlemen by and large.

How did I see that so soon? Just a few examples follow. Doors flung open by the man in front of me and left to slam in my face and body if I didn't watch carefully. Oh, I learned quickly, believe it. Herding in front of me with a rude shove if I didn't move fast enough. Language that singed my ears. Comments on my anatomy that brought mental AND external blushes. No concession whatsoever to the tender wife and mom that I had always been. No conversation of any meaning other than the latest sporting statistic or the latest conquest or tactical scenario.

Did I realize they were testing me to an extent? No. Did I learn that quickly? No. I soldiered on and suffered. It took me several years to feel comfortable but less time to stop showing my shock. I learned quickly that one is not well served who wears their feelings on their sleeve so to speak.

I had been reared to be a lady. I had only one set of behaviors to display and that was, being a lady. I was like a frog out in the hot sun simmering in the heat of lessons learned.

Several years later, a young woman came into that department and took ME under her wing though there were some 20 years difference in our age. The traditional roles were reversed, the younger one teaching the older; and while I shepherded her through sticky situations and around some of the sinkholes that she fell into, she in turn forced me into becoming a round peg in a round hole instead of the square peg that was me trying to get into the right mode. I am speaking of how I learned from her how to act, behave and generally get along better. I needed that but I tended to neglect following her advice as it was so foreign to my nature. She, however gave me no rest and insisted on my following her advice. I usually did after some resistance.

A little tale to tell at my expense a long time ago follows: She had made me promise that I would go to the running track with the rest of the shift after work that evening. I said I would just to get her off my back. Well, I had no intentions of doing that but to keep my word, kinda sorta, I drove into the parking lot of said field and stopped the engine. I sat there perhaps 1 minute and re-started the car. I was in the process of backing up when I heard footsteps pelting down the pavement to my car. It was her! She said, " Get out of that car and get up on this field! You HAVE to mix with these people!" I asked how she knew it was me down there. She said " No way I don't recognize that Camaro Z-28 engine. Now git out!" I still refused. She more or less ( more, mostly) threatened me if I didn't get up onto that track. I knew she was right so I stopped the engine and trudged on up and had, of course, the time of my life! That started me finally being a part of things.

Generally, she had her way with forming my work personality and that eased my way into the years that followed in that man's world career choice I had made so unknowingly long ago. I will always be grateful to her. We are still deepest of friends.

Thing is, and the crux of this is: I maintained being a lady to a large extent. In other words I stayed true to myself and as a result, doors have been held open, crude jokes have ceased, cursing in my presence has stopped, and comments about my anatomy are made out of my hearing. Those made within were and are complimentary and something one can take back to the kids and repeat.

My treatise is simply that one can adapt ( sometimes with help as I had) or one can remain the same in the workplace. and be the one who refuses to learn or who expects the rest of the world to conform to her/his wishes and experience. Ain't gonna happen.

This is an accolade then, to Pat, my best friend in the world. God Bless you Girl.

I just finished watching the only show I watch regularly besides the news. Dancing With the Stars.

In my opinion (and heaven knows I gave it often enough last season of the show) Serena is THE one to beat in the women dancers with Jenny Ga-r-th, surprisingly, a close second. And her partner, OH! be STILL my heart!! He is adorable!!!! Ma-r-ie Os-mon-d has a super duper personality but still..though she is a joy to hear and see, she just isn't up to snuff with the others. But fun..Oh yes. If they gave that old corny Miss Congeniality award, she's win it hands down. Ja-ne is a nice person but I'm sorry...despite the tragedy she has just been through..that was not a good tango. My opinion.

S-c-ary Sp-ice..(Mel)...so-so. My opinion. Meri-wet-her...OK. My opinion. Now He-lio...whoa..hold me back!!!! He is THE male dancer. BUT he hurt his foot severely in practice and again on the dance floor. That is a concern. W-ayn-e N-ew-ton (sorry, fan clubs are scouting my space..that is why I am doing that) he should NOT be allowed to continue and take someone who can dance better, out. He stinks. Nice guy but the neighbors Golden Retriever can do better and has more range. My opinion. No one else made an impression on me. The soap star, whatisname, he's OK. (I don't watch any soaps and I swear I need to write down his name) Of the men...maybe he can run second to He-lio. Mark Cu-ban is good too. But He-lio..he's it.

I will try to be there to see the results tomorrow night if nothing else is happening.

Hope I didn't make anyone mad with my little thoughts and opinion here. Like you..I guess I tend to say what I think in my own blog.

I have got so much reading backed up. I have been putting it in chronological order so as to get the oldest first. It is so unlike me to get this far behind.

I watched D*W*T*S results last night. I am so glad that Mark Cuban didn't get booted and Wayne stay. He had to go, ol' Wayne. By the way..I wish I had a forehead as unfurrowed as his. Smooth as a piece of plastic. Nary a line to be seen. The giveaway is the plucked chicken skin on the neck and upper chest. But..I'm not in show business so what do I know.

Serena and Helio remain to be the ones to beat. My thoughts on it. As Caroldee said yesterday in comments to me, Marie will hang around awhile. She's fun, so we'll enjoy her performance. I hope they give Cheryl someone who can dance next time though. She has really been getting the clunkers. Jane...she's getting along in age and this will cause her problems starting from now on.

There is something about Jenny's attitude that irks me. Her blaming Derek when she fell and took him with her, was not pretty. I remember him saying "Blame me. I'm used to it." and smiling. Of course I am totally smitten with him so anything he says is OK.

Speaking of attitude, everyone (except Jenny) seems to have a great attitude and the Judges are not as acerbic as they were last season when they whupped poor Julienne and Apolo every dance though they were clearly as good as a pair as any pro pair you can find out there dancing for a living. We will not have someone as good as Apolo as a contestant for a long time. And the chemistry was blazing!

Someone is in here on the desk, front paws folded neatly under her chest hoping that I am going to have bacon and eggs. Her watch is off. I will have those for lunch! I can't make that without having to arm wrestle her off the plate and me...best 2 of 3!!! Man, NO one likes bacon and eggs better than she does!!! She wrestles me for those and for cereal and milk. I always have to stand in the middle of the floor in the living room to eat either meal because she circles me as though I am a wagon train and she's the enemy. It's awful. You can't your food get within paws reach if you are having either of those two meals. Anything else..she is very polite and merely supervises.

I am going to the KSO Saturday evening...it is an excellent Symphony Orchestra and in The Big City. Looking forward to that. Natalie Cole will be there. They are having a Pop concert this time. I love Classical (and rock) but this will be a treat.

Going to get another cup of coffee...get into my shorts and you-know-what is in there waiting for me.

Well, gosh. It was in the 40's last night..will be again tonight. Not rising (till next week) above the high 60's so I guess my cacti have to come in.

I dread that every year just as I rejoice when the poor guys can go outside and get some REAL sun. I dread them coming back in because the cat says "Hey hey HEY!!! What do we have HERE to knock over and nest among even though I know mommy doesn't want me to?" I used to have 12 plants of varying big sizes when, asleep one day while on midnight shifts, I got up to find my freshly watered cacti on the floor. MUD everywhere. Plants broken. Succulents are not forgiving of falling like that. Their tender water filled arms break and that's that. So, when I say there was mud all OVER my brand new (wouldn't have mattered in this case if it was OLD carpet) carpet. Off white, You can see it in my pictures. Mud will dry, ugly as it is, and you can vacuum and shampoo the carpet but the poor plants..I only have 5 surviving. With the exception of mother's cactus as I call it (stapelia) http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week048.shtml the carrion smelling when it blooms with star shaped blooms as large and larger than your hand one...I wish they could find other homes. It is so much a drag every year trying to keep those guys happy.

I have a baby of one of my middle sons' jade plants too. He has the original daddy of them all...with a literal TRUNK now...that sucker is BIG! My "baby" is pretty darn stout too I might add.

So when I schlepp all these in here again, I will have to remember to keep the computer room door closed at night and most of the day till Miss Catt learns all over again that jumping up there is a no-no. Forgetting to close the door is a nightmare. I have been known to get up out of bed to see if it's closed. After a month or so, I can sort of trust her again. Of course I thought I could when the knock-over occurred. So you never know.I have just taken some pictures a few minutes ago. You can see "mother's cactus", the larger one with the arms spread out across the wood and down AND some blooms just starting to form (P-U!!) and the Christmas cactus and several other ones and a jade plant. Most of all..look who took up a position on the floor not seconds after the front door hit my behind???? My oldest just got a new job! Far as I'm concerned, for me...any excuse for a celebration.

Been up on the treadmill and threw around the weights. Nobody better make me mad, all *I* can say. I believe I can take ya!

How wonderful! I got those old 8 mm movies put to DVD and they are back. I went to pick them up today. 2 of them. One was Daddy's from sometime ago. What a pleasure. It is still faded badly but it's old old old. I know there are more movies but I don't know if my brothers have them, if they are just plain gone or what. I remember seeing some when I was little..5 years old... of Daddy, Mother and life before I came along and even before they were married. Old girl friends of Daddy's .

There was another..a color super 8 that was of my graduation. My husband took that movie and I am surprised at the shakiness of his grip on that old movie camera. The kids were in that one too. Playing Frisbee in the yard and across the street. Then, lastly Hopping John, our beloved male cat back then. ( me, husband and children) One of the few male cats I have had as a pet. Usually they are girls. I will look through that same storage container, probably in vain to see if there are any other boxes of movie film.

I have my oldest here. We are sorta celebrating his new job. So I made him tacos tonight. It's colder'n wiz out there..was 44 I think last night. Going to be tonight as well, so I'm going to throw an extra blanket on his bed. Tonight is also Friday night football for all the area high schools. Go WILDCATS!!!

Tomorrow, the Vols will battle Mississippi and that will be in Starkville I think. I hope to goodness they do as well as they did last week against University of Georgia. They were particularly motivated and I hope they are again. It is a PPV, and I won't pay for it..just the principle of the thing, so I will have to listen on the radio. The Vols have done so poorly these past several years, no one hardly wants to televise their games. Maybe they will battle their way back to game respectability! GO VOLS!

Gas is $2.59 a gallon here in this immediate area. Better than $3.00 I guess.

I'm going back in to keep my oldest company whether he wants me to or not and tomorrow evening is the symphony orchestra. Looking forward to that!!!

I am so glad I got to go to the Pop concert last night. Natalie Cole was the featured performer and she was beyond my expectations. I was totally rocked by how great she sounded and looked. Her entourage was fantastic of course.

The first part of the 3 hours were selections played by the Big City's Symphony Orchestra. They, the Symphony Orchestra, are superb!!! Every selection was performed (played) so well I feel as though they could be put anywhere to perform and they would come off tops! I came away completely impressed with them never mind what all was to follow.

Miss Cole came out after the first hour and was in a beautiful white form skimming gown. Stunning!! Her voice (I had never heard her sing before last night) was great! What a range in tone and the selections were all well past pleasing! Thoroughly enjoyable evening. She did sing "Unforgettable" as I had hoped she would and it was in a duet form with her dad shown on a large screen singing that, to him, signature tune. "They" sounded so good we were all just riveted!!!

Her back up singers, or should I say background? singers were fabulous. Each note that was played..each note that was sung came together to make a wonderful thoroughly enjoyable performance. So glad I had this opportunity.

The opportunity came my way as the husband half of couple friends of mine could not attend as he went to a reenactment (Civil War) in another State. So rather than go by herself, the wife invited me. Those are premium seats too, though I had no idea. Up front and center. Again, a wonderful fun time for me. It's been literal years since I have had the opportunity or even thought of attending such events. Even as a teen I used to go to plays. My only experience seeing Hollywood stars doing the play circuit right in front of me on the Stage.

Someone is up here trying to help me type. I think that purrson wants to be brushed. Pretty insistent. I will say I am grateful to have been allowed to try to catch up on sleep (she let me sleep till 8) as she got me up at 5 yesterday after only a few hours sleep. I had a headache all day and night to attest to that lack of sleep. So, I have been able to make that up now and the instigator is here with her head on the mouse saying to quit..go brush and then...the rest of the day after she is tended to.

I watched Dancing With the Stars Tuesday night and the results last night. For some inexplicable reason they had Wayne singing while Nick and Cheryl danced. Someone please tell me that Wayne's voice does not always quaver like that. He sounded like he was on one of those exercise shaking table type devices his voice was so high and quavery. (Wow...just tell 'em how you feel, girl!)

I was not surprised to see Serena and her partner get top marks. But I thought Helio and Julienne also deserved 30. Mark and Floyd were like wooden puppets out there with their professionals. So was Marie, though I adore her. And the head tossing while Marie danced was, in my opinion, not appropriate to the dance. Jane showed her temper when she got called out on the feet leaving the floor. They clearly did in the re-play, and I say just be a lady and shut up. Cameron was outstanding too, as was Derek although Derek is the pro not the contestant in a manner of speaking. Jenny G. has an attitude problem I think. She comes across to me as always condescending to Derek, and her facial expressions are petulant and sulky..like some over grown child. Melanie was so-so but I like her voice. Which is neither here nor there. This is going to be hard to call what with 4 excellent couples.

I finally remembered to look up the Cheetah Girls last night. Serena is only 23. Ahhh youth! :-)

I guess I just wrote a hypercritical blog.

Last season, I was only for 2 couples. And I would have ignored phone and the door to watch. This season, I enjoy it the show but the dancers don't quite have the grip on me as they did. None of them have grabbed my complete attention as Apolo/Julienne and Joey/Kim did.

WEEK AT THE GYMThis is dedicated to everyone who ever attempted to get into a regular workout routine.

Dear Diary,

For my birthday this year, my daughter (the dear) purchased a week of personal training at the local health
club for me.

Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.

I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Belinda, who identified herself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear.

My daughter seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.

MONDAY:
Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club
to find Belinda waiting for me. She is something of a Greek goddess - with blond hair,dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!! Belinda gave me a tour and showed me the machines. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which she conducted her aerobics class after my workout today. Very
inspiring!

Belinda was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time she was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week-!!

TUESDAY:
I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Belinda made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then she put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Belinda's rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT-!! It's a whole new life for me.

WEDNESDAY:
The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot.

Belinda was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. Her voice is a little too perky for early in the morning and when she scolds, she gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying. My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Belinda put me on the stair monster. Why the heck would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Belinda told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. She said some other stuff too.

THURSDAY :
Belinda was waiting for me with her vampire-like teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late, it took me that long to tie my shoes.

Belinda took me to work out with dumbbells. When she was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. She sent another skinny work-out goddess to find me.Then, as punishment, she put me on the rowing machine -- which I sank.

FRIDAY :
I hate that darned Belinda more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Silly, skinny, little cheerleader. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her with it.

Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich. The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher.

Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?

SATURDAY :
Belinda left a message on my answering machine in her grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing her made me want to smash the machine with my planner. However, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.

SUNDAY :
I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank goodness that this week is over. I will also hope that next year my daughter will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root canal. I still say if I was meant to bend over the floor would be sprinkled with diamonds!!!

I am going to...or I should say WE are going to meet a fellow blogger tomorrow. She's really my son's contact but she is such a blessing that I too have been blogging with her. So she is on her way from FL. to visit friends in another part of this State and then, on to here so as to meet us and spend some time. They, my son and she are going birding in the morning (you know him and his camera! He just got another lens..a pro lens) (she likes to take photos of birds) and then, we will all three meet for lunch. I am so looking forward to meeting her. Kimmy, if you happen to be reading this, I do believe the next step is hiking in Frozen Head!! Now that's one I will beg off from. (Whew!! My git up and go got up and went when it comes to hiking there! )

We got some rain last night while I was asleep. The sound actually woke me up. I lay there wondering what on earth was that noise. That is honestly how long it has been since we had a decent rain. The sound was that unfamiliar. No idea yet till the noon news how much we got. Must have been some wind too as that is what woke me really... after which time I heard the unfamiliar sound of rain hitting the heat/air unit outside my window. No way is the drought affected but at least it was a refreshment to the plants and the birds.

Diva that I am, I can't go out till my hair is finished. I don't do heat on my hair which frankly is why it looks good. So I have to deal with huge rollers till it is set. THEN I can go out. But when I do..it'll be a knock out you should only excuse me for saying so.

There is someone here in the house being a clingy little pest. She has 4 feet. So I will leave it to you.

Has anyone seen "Pushing Daisies"? I think it is one of the best shows the network has put out there. There is fun, there is drama, there is darkness, there is complete farce, there is fancifulness, and you can certainly tell that Tim Burton helped with its creation. I wouldn't miss it if I could help it. I just suspend my disbelief and enjoy!! I could pick it apart and say this or say that but I choose not to. It's just a show. Not a way of life.

Meanwhile, I am still getting my diva look going here. You should see my new white top! It's just a tank but it smooth knit and ribbed as well..all white, sweetheart neckline, and three teeny tiny buttons that don't function at the top. Rows of lace down the front. Very feminine. It's mighty warm, so shorts and that are the uniform of the day. Trying to stop paying attention to the tiny boss of the house and get my face on so that when I get my hair down and combed..I can go forth and collect scalps. (Of course, certainly I am kidding) (aren't I??)

Meanwhile...I want to call our blogger friend on her cell phone and cheer her on and vacuum! Can't have anyone not see a groomed carpet!!

Hugs to all of you. You may come by and admire me anytime after I get my hair done.

As can happen with many women, I love fashion. I was talking to a young man friend of mine who said his sister goes to University in her PJ's most of the time. I know that's not unheard of but my WORD! PJ's!

I love fashion but can't carry that look off nor do I have the money to indulge myself. First matter is I am but 5'2" tall. The rest is a combination of discretionary money to spend on such things ( I would rather save my money for realtime events... and with that, one might add that my figure is curvy. Not what the fashion designers are looking for. But mostly, it is as I mentioned in the last entry. Some things just have to be passed by after a time of life has come to one.

Ah, yes, the classics work no matter one's chronological age. But not a lot of fun in that.

I like W magazine, Vogue and Harper's. A woman can dream, can't she?

A friend just said in an email that his inner self is urban yuppie with redneck thrown in for texture. LOVED that description. I, for me, am a woman with a taste for high fashion as well. However, for dressed-up occasions I do wear the classics. Suits, 2 piece dresses, tasteful shoes and jewelry. Sigh.

But what I really want are swirly gauze skirts, BoHo tops, True Religion jeans or something ( quite the converse) from Prada. I am always of two minds. Jeans etc. for comfort..Balenciaga, Prada , DKNY and Chanel for feeling exquisite. I have none of those, you understand. I simply like the designs by and large.

My perfumes are designer however. You seldom will have me pass you by leaving in my wake anything other than a designer scent and an expensive one at that. Gee, a gal has to have something.

Interesting that fashions have gone back to the 70's for women. The old saying is true. Everything old becomes new again.

However, I will wear my platforms, discreet and not too too. And don't ask about underpinnings. That's my secret.

That's it dudes.

P.S. Not too cool that the spell check decided to underline and make red what it thought were mis-spelled words. Sigh.

I know what SHE said, but I wonder what happened that caused Ma*ri*e O*smo*nd to faint like that last night on D*WT*S? I wonder too if ABC requires that prospective dancers (not the pros) get intense physicals including stress tests before hand? If they don't, I imagine they will now. Poor woman. I was extremely concerned when it happened..there was, of course, total silence as they just stood there looking at her. Then, everyone started moving and talking. Naturally it took a few seconds to comprehend (the host) what exactly happened, and to determine if it was just a joke, etc. Sadly it wasn't.

She was embarrassed as would anyone be. I felt terribly for her in the aftermath. But thankfully she was alright. Thing is, fainting when you become winded isn't usually what happens to folks so I wonder if it is an underlying thing? She is such a delightful person with the best personality I have ever seen on that show. I hope all is well with her.

I can't say I thought Serena was all that great last night. No one was except Helio and Cameron in my opinion. They, the judges, blasted Cameron and I have to wonder why. My little opinion I felt they did great.

We got some rain..maybe half an inch total yesterday and we are getting a little rain today as well. Again, not a drought breaker but welcome nonetheless and refreshment for the trees and grasses. One thing that was on the local news last night gave me such a good feeling hearing it. Near by, about 45 miles from here there is a duck pond..a pretty large one too, that is bone dry. (I think I mentioned that our river levels are alarmingly low...I have never seen so much land in my life instead of water) and large lakes used for water consumption in some municipalities are almost dry if not dry. But I was saying...there is a town near by with a duck pond that is dry. The ducks are sitting in it on dry parched ground.

The citizens of the town took up money and had several thousands of dollars worth of water brought in and pumped out to the place where the pond had been..just to provide for the poor ducks. It won't last unless we can get some rain, but the thought was..well, sort of don't want to use this word but to me, it was precious. I can't think of another word expressive enough.

Time is getting away from me this morning..have things to do, people to annoy. Hope it's a good one for you all.
P.S. I am fixing to post 2 pictures I just took. That stinking Stapelia cactus is BLOOMING now, IN my house, and the flowers are salad plate size. P.U! The one that looks droopy isn't..the blossom is just now unfurling. Oh, it stinks in here SO bad!!!

For this immediate area, we got 1.44 inches of rain in 48 hours. Not much but it is a lot better than we had which was 0. It didn't touch the drought but it did refresh the grass, what's left of it, and the plants..ditto there.

Meanwhile, mother's cactus is opening one salad plate size blossom after the other and oh! the smell is filling the entire house. Oh gosh it's horrible. I can't..or rather I feel like I should not dead head the blossoms as horrible as they smell, for fear of harming the plant. Since I have had it for 30 years my goodness (mother has been deceased that long) I can't let anything happen to it now. Usually it is outside when it blooms if it's going to of a year, but this time, the temps dropped to the mid 40's for a sustained period of time and therefore, the plants had to come in off the porch. Oh, woe is me. No one has visited since they opened..and if they did, who only knows if they would believe it is these beautiful huge flowers.

I am hoping that the rain goes over the mountains the way I wanted to go...and drenches Charlotte N.C. They are also suffering badly there for lack of rain. 6 weeks or so ago when I was there, my son's grass was dead. You are not allowed to water anything. His fabulous roses have suffered terribly. He has a wonderful green thumb but nothing helps when they will die of thirst.

That reminds me. On television today, I saw the poor animals in San Diego fire storm area. Broke my heart. The panicked horses, even llamas, house animals of course i.e. dogs and cats. I was talking on the phone last night to a family member after having seen 20-20. The innocent lives so horribly affected; and of course I am not referring just to animals..I mean all life that has been and is affected.

Gosh, I wish I had not left my magic wand in my other pocketbook. I am having a puzzle with two friends who think I can read minds. Unfortunately I cannot and haven't any idea what their issue is. They will either get over whatever it is or not.

Meanwhile..I am off to the living room. I am finally making headway in that huge pileup of reading I had to catch up with. And I need to plan the weekend. That will be fun. Hugs.

Oh man. I was in Be-lks this afternoon and my goodness...shoes on sale. Call me Imelda. I saw some white and some ivory colored pointy toed (LOVE LOVE LOVE those!!) high heels and put 'em on. Oh they looked SO good. Thing is..I wear a 6 1/2 and these were 5 1/2. It's one of those things you crazily consider as they were $79.00 and marked down to $11.95..however my cooler headed side won out and I didn't buy either pair. I went thru the rest of the store...went to the perfume counter and had a snuffle of Burberry for women (of course). I didn't buy it either. Matter of fact, I came out unscathed and my wallet intact. Credit cards unsinged. And too..though I love fashion and shoes..I am usually in my jeans. Just so you know.

It was not raining today. That was bad but it was also good as the sun was out and though we desperately need rain..you know how it can be. Beautiful day makes for a better outside experience. INside here the smell is terrible. Those who aren't familiar with this cactus and its odor when blooming need only Google Stapelia Cactus. It smells of rotted meat when blooming, hence the black flies all over it if it were still outdoors as I so badly wish it was!!! Never had to go thru the entire blooming cycle INSIDE before. It had always bloomed and THEN I had to have it in here till the blooms withered and fell (with some help from me) (sorry, Mother).

Anyway, I woke in the night uncomfortable and when getting up for the day I felt I had a viral thingy so I went straight to the Dr. and indeed I do have a viral thingy. I have something to make me a little more comfortable and...ta dah, I got my flu shot while there. Maybe tomorrow I will be a little less uncomfortable.

I am almost out of my big box of cherry tea. Next weekend I hope to be going over the mountains to Charlotte whereupon I will go to the European store and get more tea and more of those odd cookies. They have all things Russian it seems.

Meanwhile, I am tempted to put this danged cactus outside..it's killin' me I tell you. If it was not getting down to the mid 40's, I would...believe it.

Missed my treadmilling today and the weights due to all I had to do. However tomorrow will get here and the treadmill will still be there.

My goodness, I get rid of the stinky but beautiful hairy (did you see all those hairs all over the blossoms?) cactus blossoms and left them to smell up the outdoors and I have a headache for my trouble.

Not really. The medicine the doctor prescribed for me yesterday for this little malady I have has as a side effect, the ability to set off some pretty good headaches. And I have had a whopper of a head ache since yesterday morning. And I have 6 more days of these pills which means 6 more days of headaches. No Tylenol will help. I remind myself that things could be so much worse and just bear up.

I made the oldest his supper before I went to The Big City to get him where he works. The CEO's wife came out, wrung my hand and told me how lucky they are to have him. Talk about music to a mother's ears! Anyone who knows me in person who is reading this knows that I grinned and said that yes, they ARE lucky to get him. None better. He is loving the job and that is a sign that all is in place for a good career. I made him a ziti dish as a main dish..some buttered green peas as a side and...ta dah...some corn muffins! I made a lemon sponge cake for dessert...Beth Marie..I saved some for you. We'll have some lima beans first though...and this morning, he had bacon, eggs and jellied toast. No biscuits this time.

The VOLS are playing on ESPN tonight. I am going to watch but through my fingers. They have had the worst season in VOL history I think. It's a late game (bad standing in the rankings..I am amazed they are even televising it in any way!) at 1945 till what? 2300? So, I'll hurry up and take a quick shower, get into my jammies and watch whatever happens. We are playing South Carolina. GO VOLS!!!

It will snow in the Great Smoky Mountains this weekend as I am likely going thru those mountains to Charlotte. It ALWAYS snows when I set my foot and car tires on the roadways it seems. I have blogged often that I wouldn't be surprised to have a blizzard going in August...simply because I an trying to get thru the mountains. Remember that huge snow storm in the Smoky Mountains I blogged about that got me back in APRIL!!!??? I, like, shouted at the mountains as we all of us crept at 25 mph upward and downward....."KIDDING, for pity sake!!!" I guess *I* got told!! It DID snow. That whole thing came about because between October late and March as I was working that 12 hr shift rotation and finally had a weekend (just one a month) to GO...it would snow or threaten to! So a dear friend, on hearing me say "I'm headed to Charlotte this weekend" would say " Oh, is it going to snow then???" as she was well aware how many times I had to change my plans because of impending snow or...turn around and come back home. So...this weekend..let us see what happens!

Have a wonderful weekend and thank goodness the smells are clear of the house.
P.S. A picture from last Winter just as the snow was getting going.

It has been an absolutely beautiful day today! I haven't been out much to enjoy it as I have this pounding headache from the meds. Just 3 more days worth. Lest I sound too pitiful, it only hurts maybe half the day to three quarters, I get a few breaks.

I will be headed over the mountains this Friday after all. Made the final decision. Figure I ought to be over the headachy stuff by then for pete sake.

I hope those of you who are birders and bird lovers have geared up for feeding the birds starting about now. For me, I never stopped. It's a 12 month a year deal. But the poor guys could use your help this Winter for certain as it has been a cruel summer for many of us, with drought. The natural foods they use may be uncertain now due to no rain. Please think of them and the job they do for us- and feed them at least through the worst part of the Winter. Their natural hunting and feeding areas are being encroached on more and more and more. No wonder we have so much wildlife coming into our yards and trying to feed from the garbage cans. One of my sons has several hawks who live very near by who eat at his feeders..and capture some of the small birds who eat there as well. The hawks will drink from the water stations he has set up in his yard. Part of that is because a big housing development that was "installed" right behind his property...taking a lot of wooded area that animals and birds were using. Now, they depend on my son to some degree and others in the neighborhood who try to take care of them.

By the way...before I leave that topic..buying shelled sunflower seeds and safflower seeds will guarantee you woodpeckers of all sorts! Miss Catt takes up a comfortable position (see my profile picture) to watch what she is pleased to think of as her "television". That would be the feeder and water station in the front yard. If the front door is closed, she goes to a window to watch and dream.

To me, there is only one set of winners though there can only be one winner. Either Serena or Helio. No one else comes close. If someone made me Queen and said " You pick the winner" it would be Serena.

I was surprised while talking to my brother a few evenings ago to hear him declare that his wife, my sister-in-law of course, was " nailed to the television Monday and Tuesday nights". I confessed that I too was nailed to it. For the same reason no doubt. To me, ain't nothing else on that warrants that devotion but DWTS.

Unfortunately W. my brother gave me the opening though he didn't know it..to present MY little thoughts about who was what and when and why. He was patient and listened to all my learned thoughts. I told him I called it pretty much the past two seasons before this one and I do believe I will be right again. He also likes "Pushing Daisies" same as I do. That is one good show. As I said before, you can certainly tell that Tim Burton has a hand in it. You could go through and point out this or that about the show but sometimes, it's best to just shut up, sit back and enjoy it. I, as does anyone watching, know the truth. But we aren't expected to believe this..just enjoy it.

Meanwhile, the headache goes on due to the meds I am taking (side effect) and I have several more days to go through. Better to go through the headaches than the malady.

We will have our first hard freeze tonight. It was 39 this morning. I believe the weather has finally come round to staying something close to Fall now. Several other bloggers reported hard frost in their areas as well.

It will almost be time for the news so guess I will move on. You guys have a great evening..I will see you soon I hope. I've already rolled your yards if you haven't noticed already!

Hmmm...might have to change my mind some. Helio AND Cameron were both equally great on DWTS. Poor Jane has a bad back and it shows as she is inflexible beyond a slight bend. That's just the way it is..I ought to know. She's brave but she needs to go, as does you-know-who who is a sweetheart and has a great personality but. I might also ask what IS it with Jenny who can't seem to keep her tongue off her front teeth. Is she afraid they will drop out or something? That is just annoying to see.

I am all duded up..well sorta, and about to go out to lunch. I am all in black and that just looks so good with my hair if I say so myself. ( and I frequently do) AND I have a new pair of black high heeled boots to wear. Woo Woo! Hubba hubba ding dong DING!

I have done my weights workout but still to get on the treadmill. I didn't want my widdle face to be all reddened from exertion, so I put it off for awhile. I'll hop up there in the afternoon unless I head off up the street for a walk. It's like climbing a mountain going up MY street. Just a steady incline all the way. I used to just fly up there but that was before I got so sadly out of shape. I'm not that bad now but it makes me appreciate the woman I once was.

I am getting ready to go to Charlotte. I have already revived my old joke about snow when I go. With my luck, it probably will snow in the mountains but my bet is, really, it won't. Next month now..I would be getting closer to that happening. Around here you never know though. But I have my back pack out for makeup, diva stuff and whatever's and my little tote for jammies and etc. extra T shirts and so on. I'll be ready well before departure time Friday.

I can't wait to get to the European Store ( that is what it is called and where I get my Russian tea and those odd cookies to go with the tea. I like a break from Earl Gray sometimes. Then, we get to go shopping in my three favorite places Saturday. I just throw my wallet at the Store managers when I walk in. Saves time as I always love to spend money in those places!!!

Well, I'll take my fine smelling well put together self out of here now and collect as many scalps as I can while out. (Believe that? I have real estate for you in Florida)

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Well, there are tornadoes all around me..not a surprise, as the day has been record breakingly warm and muggy. The winds are 40 mph sustained and gusting more. Thunderstorms, lightening and hail. There was a tornado watch here but I didn't realize that there was a tornado warning to follow. No surprise there either as it was dark. However..nothing happened here where I am in the part of town with the tallest trees around that can be found. Whew!

I can't believe I forgot DWTS last night,. I watched it on line today but it wasn't a full episode. I didn't get to see Gray or that boy who is dancing with Lacey Schwimmer. I WILL be in place for the results tonight though.

I put those leaves in the picture in yesterday's blog because they're pretty. Even to me. :-) There's a change.

Well, it's almost 8 and I am going to take an early shower and put on PJ's. It's starting to thunder again and I want to be done before it all breaks loose all over again.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Some of our blog family are already getting snow..some several inches. This is in Canada that I am speaking of...haven't heard yet about here in the States if anyone within our blog family is having snow.

I am the one being annihilated in these games of Scrabble. I came very close several times but I am still not able to win. I will blame it all on the distribution of letters and really they have been bad all but 2 times. Loads of i's and e's and a's. And there's nothing like the Q when you don't get the needed U till the end, if at all. Oh well, I like being a sore loser in the game. Helps give me a reward for playing it. :-)

I woke to driving rain, thunder and some generous bolts of lightening. Woo Wee. That brought a small purrson to the bed and up by my chest for warmth.

Have you read about how millions of Americans are traveling overseas to get medical treatment? And have you also read that the medical treatment abroad is of excellent quality? Not only excellent, but a fraction of the amount one would have to pay here at home. That's too bad for us as a Nation. It's also understandable in that this Country is prosperous by and large. I certainly know that not everyone is prosperous. You know what I mean and the context with which I am saying it. Salary ranges are far higher here as is the cost of living, than many other areas in the world. We all are aware of that and the cause and effect of it being...everything from the cost of living in general to medical care and hospitalization costs more here.

Those who are badly under insured or without insurance because of medical problems and being declined by the Insurer, are in great need of often times life saving procedures, i.e. open heart surgery, spinal surgery, many and all others. If you are aware of your options, have the ability to gather some money and have a passport there may be help available that you may not have access to here. Maybe.

Leaving is becoming more common now-- though certainly not the top choice always, due to a change in Culture and not knowing the language of the Country, for one's surgical procedure. But not to worry about being understood while there, the article I read said. They speak English well and are solicitous of our differences. Even some employers are getting into the game by suggesting that their employees avail themselves of this valuable alternative. The medical care is excellent and less expensive to both the employee and the employer.

The article I read said that Thailand and India seem to be the most sought out, and they received full marks for excellence.

I saved the references as you never know when they might be needed. There are agencies that help coordinate these medical trips. There are things one must know and be aware of and so there is an overview provided advising of the pluses and minuses of opting to go abroad for serious surgery and advice regarding research if interested in going abroad for surgery along with practical advice as to what to take and what to bring back.

I have read of this before in several magazines in the past year. It appears to be gaining speed. I am just skimming over the most general of things here..not pretending to write an article. Just a thought for us.

I have found a Vet who makes house calls. That sure beats trying to get her into the pet carrier IF that can be done and it beats listening to screams and shouts (the cats) ( I WANT to but other drivers would call the police) all the way there and back! I remember blogging about the trials and tribulations of Vet trips before. When I saw the ad in the newspaper, I called immediately to make an appointment. Her first appointment was a couple of months ago whereupon she, the cat, had her nails cut or should I say swords cut. Her ears were cleaned and she was given her rabies shot though she never goes out. It's my understanding that if she needed to be boarded for any reason, she would have to have a rabies shot. Makes complete sense, so I gave in and had her vaccinated again. (Makes her sick so seeing no need, I didn't do it).

Back to yesterday. The Vet visited Sunday afternoon. The cat knew something was not good as the hall door was closed. That would keep the cat from hiding under one of the beds making it impossible to get her to examine or take care of. Ever wary, still, the cat did not escape the Vet who scooped her up and sat on the floor with her. To the cats surprise and my shock...the Vet produced a little tiny muzzle (even for a cat with a short little face) in red..made of nylon and covered the cat's eyes as well as her mouth. The idea being that when they don't see,they will be more calm. It seemed to work. The poor cat didn't know what was coming so she allowed the muzzle to be put on.

So, the muzzle, ear cleaning (she is allergic to house dust mites) and claw trimming plus..the biggie, a topical med to alleviate earmites and fleas and heartworm (who knew cats could get heartworms? You usually associate that with dogs) After it was over, she took off for the back of the house and refused to come out for hours and hours. Finally she strolled by on her way down the hall and I knew I had been forgiven. I think the muzzle breached the trust element for awhile.

I am sitting here doing this when I know the treadmill awaits. Oh and I finally bought my first piece of satin sleepware. I am probably the only female in the world who does not like satin and silk. Too slithery and I find it uncomfortable. As outerwear as in a dress or top, I would never ever ever buy anything made of those two materials. However, I thought what the heck..a huge sale of 74% off and the little cami and tap pant set was nine dollars plus tax of course! What the heck. You know what? (it does look cute) it enabled me to spin around much easier. I constantly turn over while asleep. From one side to the other. This made it an easier trip as it was slithery enough to get me from point A to point B without having to struggle against the drag quotient of cotton on cotton. So who knows, I may get another of the silly things to enable my trips to go faster!

Her Majesty is curled up in her (she made it hers) basket behind me and that is a clear signal to get off this computer and head for the 'mill.

I entitled the blog that and took some digital pictures for you so you can see what I see when I stand on the deck or just look out the big window.

The new photos are from number 18 on in the top uppermost album. If you make the pictures large as you go through them, you can see the striations the tree limbs made in the sun beams. I took several photos within ten minutes. The fog is more present in the first few frames.

It's disheartening to have this many big trees (and you can't see them all) right up on the house like this when there is a wind storm or lightening, but too, you can't beat the beauty. You can see why I sit out on the deck when the weather isn't boiling hot as it has been, and enjoy all the wildlife as they make their way through the woods and the property. Coyotes, as I have mentioned before, and multitudes of deer, an occasional gray fox, all the small animals we are all used to, i.e. raccoons, O'possums, skunks, and of course the ever present squirrels both gray and ground squirrels. Wolves occasionally make their way from the National Park (red wolves) but that is rare. It happens however. There are Elk too, but not in my particular area. The Elk were put here in east Tennessee perhaps ten years ago. They have flourished.

The treadmill awaits me and there was a distinct coolness this morning when I woke instead of suffocating heat. The satin sleep set will go into the drawer for another time. By the way, Ewwww..no way would I own satin sheets. Ugh.

Just came back from a fun lunch with all the guys! I had the baked chicken..some of it, and a couple veggies. I feel as though I ate the entire steam table full of food. Not used to a real meal mid-day but I like to do that sometimes.

Surprisingly not a single one commented on my short hair-do. My hair has always been at least mid back length. I would have thought this would get their attention but..shows how often we think others are looking at us when they aren't paying any attention to us. Not on the level we many times think they are.

I went dressed to please though. Sterling heart on a coral bead necklace, sterling dangle earrings, (you know me) black cap sleeved top with a short sleeved gray fitted jacket over it and wide legged black dressy pants with...tah dah....black heels. Oh my! Diva!!!! And I smelled good too. Only one thing went wrong. I hate it what that happens but I was moving right along with my preparations, i.e. dressing make-up etc and it came time for a little blush. The key words here are "a little". I must have put a wrestlers strength into swiping the little fan shaped brush across the blusher, as when I made the swipe across my cheek...I looked like a Cockatiel!!! Man, what vivid cheek patches!!!!!! Out came the cotton balls to try to buff away some of the deep color and then liberal applications of powder to further disguise it. I detest when that happens. I have no idea what makes me dig that brush across the surface of the blusher except being in a hurry!

September 24 I think is the first airing of "Dancing With the Stars". They have some older types on there. Wayne Newton? My gosh! Marie Osmond? My gosh. I hope the ambulances are standing by. Or, there will be just old folkses tripping the light fantastic for our delectation every week. (I ain't no spring chicken so I am allowed to say this) I will watch the first 4 weeks. If it's still sedate then I will find something else to occupy that time. I think last season was one they will never live up to again with Apolo Ohno and Joey Fatone. Now THAT was some dancing. I don't think I'll see the like of that again. I could hardly wait to get in front of the TV and if anyone called, I never answered the phone unless it was family.

Waiting on someone to show up here in about half an hour. I think I have been around to most all of you by now. Come see me. I'll be waiting in the kitchen with iced tea.

You know how Social Security always send those reports to all of us these days telling us our status. It lets us know if we have enough Quarters in order to draw Social Security payments and it tells us year by year from the time we started working to the present how much income we and our employers reported that we made for any given year. In there it will tell you what YOU have had taken from your paycheck in FICA. Social Security taxes. I didn't even see that until I got into somewhat of an argument with my supervisor last year.

He stated that he had no idea really how little we pay into the system. I promptly begged his pardon. He promptly got right back with me and said while it seems as though we are giving a great deal each week, we are not.

I would not believe him as he, same as many, would not give a figure so I didn't know what he meant by "not as much as we think". We stopped the little disagreement and it wasn't till another came in the mail that I remembered to look at all of the statement and sure enough. Through our working lifetimes, we really don't contribute (or have taken out) as much in total sum as we think we have had taken out. Now here I am referring to the sum total of what WE ourselves contribute to the system. We may tend to think we have given hundreds of thousands of dollars. Well, for most of us, tain't so. So we think we have a pot of money out there in Government land all to ourselves of X amount of dollars and it's all ours. No one else's.

What made me think of this was ads on TV from lawyers who handle disability claims. His ad implies that you have this seemingly vast sum at your disposal. No, your contribution is sometimes far less than you think it is. Have a look next time you get one. See what you think.

I just had to delete a lot of what I said because I am concerned about violation of copyright law.
Go see "And so it goes on" where Caroldee gave us needed info on copyright laws and a good link to research.

I have tried to be careful most of the time but...I did not know that there are most occasions when giving credit to the source does NOT make it OK. You have STILL violated the copyright. Some woman lifted my son's photos off his site. He went to thank her for her visit, and found his pictures on her site. Even with his very visible copyright symbol..there they were, in her gallery. No thanks, no credit and even if she had, it's illegal.

We already know this is a common thing that happens. When you put pictures on your Space.. you will see they give easy access to them. There is a feature that says print..download..order prints. Um..not real great I think. That is something about Spaces that was included in a more through manner this last upgrade or so. Some people don't mind..others do. But it should be a choice I think, whether they are sharable or not. Two years ago, without thinking a thing of it, I sent 3 of someone's to a family member to look at, from someone else's site. I was made aware by the family member I sent it to that was NOT the thing to do. It was innocent in that it went just for someone (a single entity) to admire BUT it was still the wrong thing to do. Since then I would never do that. I just send a URL to a site if I want someone to see something that badly. So..we all do it sometimes and I am not blameless. Not until the past several years. :-)

Well, with that I say howdy and bye. Have a super great weekend. You're supposed to!

I was in a Russian market yesterday and I bought cherry tea! Never was a tea drinker much except for Earl Gray when I am in the hot tea drinking mood. I also bought several packets of cookies or wafers to go with the tea as a treat. The entire thing is in Russian Cyrillic so I haven't the faintest idea what is in the cookies or what flavor they are. I do not know a thing about them but hey..have to try something new once in awhile.

I also bought a tiny triptych. First one hand painted like that I have ever seen. I wish I had one like one of my boys brought home when two of them went a couple years ago to Turkey and Greece. Italy too if I remember correctly. All in the same trip. I so wish I had one like the middle son brought back. It is decently large and they don't come inexpensively. Not even my tiny one.

I have to say that was the first time I have ever been in a market and the ads were all in Russian. (Naturally) as were the hand written posted "want ads" done by people wanting a job or something. It was in Russian but there were tear-off phone numbers..you know, the style we are used to where each person interested just tears off one of the numbers and saves it till they call whoever is offering the service. In this case, who knows that the services are.

It was fascinating. And there were a decent number of customers coming and going..all of whom spoke, you guessed it, Russian. The person behind the counter was very nice and had a good sense of humor as I bought a greeting card (they do not come with envelopes, go figure!) and she let me know that was for a grandmother. I bought it for someone who is anything but. However, she's going to get it anyway.

There were fish lined up all pointed in the same direction and looking to be a variety I have never seen. They were small in the face and mouth and their expressions varied in the amount of surprise they expressed with finding themselves in a showcase. There were sausages to the left of them and they, the sausages, were formidable looking let me assure you. The bologna (they did have that. It said so in a small sign at the bottom of the tray) looked as though it was not artificially colored as our commercial bologna is, and appeared to be more meaty in texture. Nope. Didn't buy any.

If I haven't told you yet I have stopped my part time job as my back was in too much pain with the standing. Until I see what can be done, I don't think I will be doing any further jobs that require a lot of standing. I wanted you to know. I also thought I would tell you I am still smoke free after 15 months.